The top-rated middle schools in Jacksonville for 2026 are Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development S (7.9/10), James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School (7.6/10), and Lavilla School of the Arts (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 25 middle schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Jacksonville's middle school landscape spans 24 ranked schools, with performance concentrated around an average composite score of 5.3/10. Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School leads the metro at 7.0/10 — the only school in Jacksonville to crack the 7-point threshold, placing it in rare company across the entire ranked pool. The schools just below that mark are worth a close look. James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School (6.6), Jean Ribault Middle School (6.3), and Fort Caroline Middle School (6.2) round out a competitive tier of college-preparatory and traditional options. The table below lets you sort by score, location, and other key metrics to find the right fit. With most schools clustering near the metro average, the gap between the top performer and the middle of the pack is meaningful — making it worth comparing your options carefully before deciding.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Florida education department. Rankings are relative to all public middle schools in Florida. Learn about our methodology.
Duval
861 students · 21.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 21% in Florida
Duval
957 students · 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 25% in Florida
Duval
993 students · 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 32% in Florida
Duval
384 students · 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 49% in Florida
Duval
689 students · 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 49% in Florida
94 students · 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 2nd–8th
Top 68% in Florida
Duval
1,022 students · 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 61% in Florida
Duval
74 students · 6.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 4th–8th
Top 63% in Florida
Duval
534 students · 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 66% in Florida
Duval
1,084 students · 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–8th
Top 66% in Florida
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development S is the top-rated middle school in Jacksonville with a composite score of 7.9/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Jacksonville has 26 middle schools, including 2 charter schools. Of these, 25 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 25 Jacksonville middle schools with a composite score, the average is 5.0/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Florida).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Florida, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Florida, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Jacksonville has 2 charter middle schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Guide
A comprehensive guide to school choice in Florida. Compare public, private, and charter schools using data on test scores, accountability, cost, and outcomes for the 2026-27 school year.